Kitakyushu Floating Wind Project to Use Mooreast Anchors

Mooreast will supply nine of its Mooreast MA5P anchors for a floating wind turbine demonstration project off Kitakyushu, Japan, set to enter the construction phase next year.

Illustration; Image: Ideol

Glocal Inc., a Japanese company which is part of the consortium behind the demonstration project, carried out product performance evaluation and offshore testing last year, prior to deciding to use Mooreast MA5P anchors on the project.

“These anchors have been carefully sized by Mooreast based on the soil data provided of the site, and the anchor test data at the location. The anchors will be fabricated at Mooreast’s facility in Singapore to ensure timely delivery and quality control,” Mooreast stated.

The company will deliver the anchors in the first quarter 2017 and assist Glocal with the anchor installation.

The Kitakyushu floating wind project has been initiated by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The project will use two turbines, one with a capacity of 3MW and another of 4.4MW, mounted on Ideol’s floating platform. Ideol, on behalf of its partner Hitachi Zosen, is responsible for the design and engineering of two foundations – one in steel and the other in concrete – as well as the support of the installation.

The aim of the project is to validate floating technology for future commercial floating wind farms that Japan wants to have installed by 2030.